BEDNAR APHTHAE: A SERIES OF 3 CASES IN NEWBORNS

Bednar aphthae (BA) are benign self-limiting ulcers found on the palate of up to 15% of healthy newborn infants, and their etiology remains unclear. We report 3 cases of BA in newborns (1 female and 2 male), age ranging from 1 to 4 months. At oral examination, 2 patients had solitary ulcers with central exudation and hyperemic inflamed borders on the soft palate, measuring 15 × 11 mm and 11 × 10 mm, respectively, which spontaneously healed after 3 to 45 days. The third patient presented bilateral ulcers on the soft palate, measuring 10 × 8 mm, and 1 ulcer in the uvula, measuring 4 × 3 mm. A biopsy had been previously performed by a pediatric otolaryngologist. Histopathologic evaluation showed an ulcerated mucosal with granulation tissue and abundant neutrophils. The patient was treated with intralesional triamcinolone and photobiomodulation, with complete mucosal healing in 6 days. In summary, BA are under-recognized lesions that may cause diagnostic difficulties and are often misdiagnosed.